2017 Darley Classic Big Spring Focus for Spieth

As well as a possible shot at the $10 million The Everest in Sydney this spring trainer Bryce Heys has confirmed another run in the Darley Classic 2017 is a “big focus” of his stable star Spieth‘s upcoming campaign.

Spieth could run in the 2017 The Everest in Sydney before a Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival bid this season. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Sydney-based Heys had been hoping to spend his winter over in England for the Royal Ascot Carnival that is currently underway and producing a host of potential spring contenders down under in the coming months.

Spieth came ever so close to securing a trip over for a run in a race like the Group 1 Diamond JubileeStakes (1207m), taking place this weekend and won the mighty Black Caviar in 2012.

It wasn’t to be however with the Thorn Park stallion’s luckless Group 1 record seeing him a short half-head beaten in both the Group 1 Darley Classic(1200m) by Malaguerra last spring and another Flemington feature this autumn.

Four-year-old Spieth has to date won five of his dozen career starts and the Darley Classic was the first of his eventual four elite level tests so far.

Furthering Heys’ frustrations was the galloper’s first-up run down the Flemington straight this February when Spieth was narrowly beaten again crossing second to Terravista in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m).

A ninth in the Newmarket Handicap followed before the horse’s latest run, a career worst when 10th over seven lengths off the triple TJ Smith Stakes champion Chautauqua at Royal Randwick where a Heavy (8) track got the better of him during Sydney’s ‘The Championships’ in April.

Heys is looking ahead with a more positive focus on what the spring could bring for his progressive sprinter who is on the cusp of greatness chasing that elusive Group 1 win.

A possible home run at Randwick this October in the inaugural edition of the Restricted $10 million The Everest (1200m) is a possibility should they secure a spot in the buy-in event.

“The Everest is there but there is a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and then,” Heys told Racing Victoria this week.

“We haven’t really had any serious chats about a slot at this stage, I’m just focusing on getting the horse right and if his form warrants being in the race then hopefully we can work something out.”

Spieth is currently listed as a $15 chance in futures The Everest 2017 odds at Ladbrokes.com.au, markets led by the Team Hawkes-trained Chautauqua.

Heys is considering two first-up options for Spieth naming the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on September 2 or Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at the same track fortnight later as the possible resuming runs.

“He can either have one trial and resume in the Concorde or have two trials and be ready to go for The Shorts,” Heys said.

“I’d say he would run in one of those races, unlikely to be both.

“His first-up run will be hugely important as it will gives us an indication as to where we are at.”

Of course the big fish Heys is desperate to reel in is the Darley Classic at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival with atonement on the trainer’s mind.

“Coming back to Melbourne and targeting the Darley is a big focus of his campaign,” Heys said.

“He is proven down the straight and track is generally firm, which is to his liking.”

To back Spieth this spring at the right Group 1 racing odds online visit Ladbrokes.com.au today.